Machines for making filter-tip cigarettes



Nov. 22, 1955 E. Yoss MACHINES FOR MAKING FILTER-TIP CIGARETTES Filed Oct. 25, 1954 5 Sheets-Shee't l INVENTOR EMANUEL VOSS M64550, 8/ 001/5 EMA/0E5 ya XCOTIX ATTORNEY- E. Yoss 2,724,30'9

MACHINES FOR MAKING FILTER-TIP CIGARETTES 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nu kw. Qms ok Filed Oct. 25, 1954 Nov. 22, 1955 Nov. 22, 1955 oss 2,724,309

MACHINES FOR MAKING FILTER-TIP CIGARETTES Filed Oct. 25, 1954 v 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 EMANUEL vosspecsnsza 6/ oZ/Ve flaws: 6ss,xecr/ z/x ATTORNEY- Nov. 22, 1955 E. YOSS MACHINES FOR MAKING FILTER-TIP CIGARETTES 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. 25, 1954 OH ROLLER HEAD O OlNDEX ON ROLLER HEAD INDEX ON CAM 0" INDEX ON ROLLER HEAD 11w ENTOR EMANUEL V055, DE4360 6y 00v: tam/ass 6, gxecun/x T-INISHED POSITION "*1.|:=' l1.

BY %mz: ATmRNm'S E. YOSS MACHINES FOR MAKING FILTER-TIP CIGARETTES 7 Nov. 22, 1955 5 SheetsSheet 5 Filed Oct. 25, 1954 R X m 5 m N J W R E 4 0 W a: w I wan/W 5 S 3 m% a L @W 0 A M ay aim/g Fe sembly with a cigarette tube.

United States Patent MACHINES on MAKING FILTER-TIP CIGARETTES Application October 25, 1954, Serial No. 464,412 30 Claims. (Cl. 93-77) This invention relates to the manufacture of tobacco products and more particularly to improvements in a machine for manufacturing filter-tip cigarettes, such improvements dealing primarily with the application of filter material to a mouthpiece forming the tip of the cigarette, the ejection of the mouthpiece for assembly with the cigarette tube, or in the event of failure of certain parts of the machine, the removal of the filter material in order to permit continued operation of the apparatus without clogging of certain parts thereof by the filter material.

Cigarettes manufactured by the machine or apparatus of this invention are of the type having a mouthpiece of coiled, relatively stiff paper received within the relatively thin paper cigarette tube and a mass of filter material received Within the mouthpiece between the tobacco in the cigarette tube and integral prongs extending radially inwardly of the mouthpiece. Preferably the filter material utilized in the apparatus of this inventionis cotton, but of course other suitable filter material may be used. The filter material retaining prongs are spaced inwardly of the outer end of the mouthpiece and the filter material is disposed therein between the prongs and in close proximity to the tobacco in the cigarette tube. This provides a relatively long path for the smoke from the burning tobacco, resulting in substantial cooling of the same prior to entering the mouth of the user.

Considerable difficulty has been experienced with machines of the type utilized in making the cigarettes above described and this has resulted in frequent breakdowns and loss of time occasioned by necessary repairs, and furthermore excessively large numbers of mouthpieces have been damaged necessitating the discard thereof with consequent increased cost of manufacture. Furthermore in these prior art machines where it has been necessary to remove the filter material due to failure of the mouthpiece feeding means or for other reasons, the same has often become lodged in various portions of the machine resulting in clogging thereof and necessitating shutting down the same during the cleaning of such filter material from the machine.

In general, machines of the nature utilized for manufacturing cigarettes of the type described above employ a turret which is designed to receive a mouthpiece formed of coiled, relatively stilf paper, which turret is moved in step-by-step movements from a mouthpiece receiving position to a position in which the filter material is placed in the mouthpiece and the mouthpiece then ejected for as- Since the filter material is drawn into the mouthpiece by vacuum, and further since this vacuum is applied and the mouthpiece with the filter material therein ejected from the turret by a plunger reciprocably mounted and moving into and out of apertures in the turret, obviously the positioning of the turret at each station must be extremely accurate and backlash or excessive play in the turret cannot be tolerated. In the prior art machine such excessive play or backlash has frequently been present and this has resulted in damage 2,724,309 Patented Nov. 22, 1955 to the plunger with a consequent loss of production time of the machine.

Since the vacuum is applied to the turret for the purpose of moving the filter material into the mouthpiece, obviously some means must be provided for applying the vacuum to this reciprocating turret and furthermore, since in the event of failure of the mouthpiece feeding means or in the event the prongs in the mouthpiece are displaced, the filter material is drawn into the plunger through the same and into a trap chamber where the same is collected and removed from time to time. In the prior art machines the plunger has been provided with a prong-engaging tip which has materially obstructed the entrance to the plunger and furthermore, the vacuum connection to the plunger has resulted in substantially a right-angled turn which necessitated the filter material passing into the obstructed entrance to the plunger and thereafter around such turn, which has frequently resulted in clogging of the same by the filter material.

The disadvantages occasioned by excessive play or backlash in the turret have resulted from the particular drive means utilized therefor which in the past has in general been through gear trains in which it was substantially impossible to eliminate all backlash and the disadvan tages occasioned by the clogging of the vacuum system and plunger mechanism have been caused by the particular design of the tip on the plunger, as well as the mounting of the same, which prevented the provision of a straight substantially unobstructed path therethrough in order to permit free movement of the filter material to the trap chamber.

Furthermore, in these prior art machines the trap chamber has been relatively inefficient and also has been subject to frequent clogging, thereby materially affecting the degree of vacuum applied to the system and furthermore there has been no attempt to regulate the vacuum in order to maintain the same substantially constant.

Briefly stated, this invention contemplates providing a novel cam drive mechanism for the turret, which mechanism permits substantially instantaneous acceleration of the turret movement from zero to maximum and a relatively slow deceleration thereof during the remainder of the movement, the turret being rigidly and accurately locked in operating position. This cam drive eliminates substantially all backlash or play, thereby permitting extremely accurate positioning of the turret. The invention further contemplates an improved and novel design for the tip of the vacuum plunger as well as an improved mounting for such plunger, in which the path of movement of filter material therethrough is in a substantially unobstructed straight line.

There has also been provided by this invention an improved vacuum system incorporating a rotary control valve, a trap chamber and a vacuum pump, in which the vacuum is maintained substantially constant and in which an improved trap chamber is provided which serves to receive a relatively large quantity of filter material or lint therefrom, it normally being only necessary to empty this trap chamber after each days operation of the machine; and furthermore, the trap chamber is of such design that the quantity of filter material or lint therein does not materially affect the degree of vacuum applied to the vacuum plunger during operation thereof.

The improvements contemplated by this invention may be applied to existing cigarette machines of the general characterinvolved without extensive modification or rebuilding thereof, or such improvements may of course be conveniently incorporated in new machines when the same are being manufactured.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an improved cigarette machine for manufacturing cigarettes of the type having a mouthpiece of coiled, relatively stiff paperreceived within the relatively thin paper cigarette tube and in which a filter material is received within the mouthpiece between radially inwardly extending prongs and the tobacco in the cigarette tube.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a cigarette machine for the manufacture of cigarettes of the type contemplated, which machine may be operated at a relatively high rate of speed, the improvements provided by this invention preventing frequent shutdowns due to damage of the various parts or due to clogging of the apparatus by the filter material.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a cigarette machine for manufacture of cigarettes of the type contemplated, in which excessive play or backlash of the parts involved is eliminated and in which wear of such parts is maintained at a minimum, thereby contributing to relatively long operative life.

Another object of the invention is the provision of improvements for cigarette machines for manufacturing cigarettes of the type contemplated, which improvements may be applied to existing machines without material modification or rebuilding thereof.

A further object of the invention is the provision of improvements for a cigarette machine of the type for manufacturing cigarettes of the type contemplated, which improvements may be applied thereto while utilizing the original mouthpiece feeding means and also without in any way affecting the cigarette forming portion of the machine or the drive means for the various elements of the machine.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of improvements for a cigarette machine for manufacturing cigarettes of the type contemplated, which improve-- ments may be applied to existing machines without material modification or may be incorporated in new machines without necessitating redesign to accommodate the improvements contemplated by this invention.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a cam drive for a turret, in which the turret is driven in step-by-step movements with substantially instantaneous acceleration from zero to maximum and with deceleration at a relatively slow rate, the turret being rigidly and accurately locked in position between movements thereof.

A further object of the invention is the provision of drive means for a turret for moving the same in stepby-step movements, which drive means incorporates a cam and roller follower mechanism providing the desired movements while eliminating substantially all play or backlash and reducing wear to a minimum.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a drive means for a turret, which turret is driven in step-by-step movements and in which the drive means is directly connected to the turret and includes a cam and roller cam follower, each step-by-step movement of the cam taking place during a seventy-two degree rotation of the cam and being maintained stationary during the remaining two hundred eighty-eight degrees rotation of the cam.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a drive for a turret for advancing the same in step-bystep movements and in which the drive may include a cam having a body and a rib extending partially around the circumference of the body, with the space between the ends of the rib constituting a cam track and with one end of the rib terminating in an offset enlarged portion having a curved follower engaging surface facing in the direction of rotation of the cam and in which the follower may comprise a plurality of rollers for engaging the cam track and the curved surface, and in h which the rib engages between two of the rollers for locking the turret in fixed position.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a vacuum plunger for use in a cigarette machine for manufacturing cigarettes of the type contemplated, in

which such plunger is provided with a tip for engaging the mouthpiece of the cigarette and the prongs therein, such tip being bifurcated to permit substantially unobstructed entrance into the end of the plunger.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a vacuum plunger for use in a cigarette machine for manufacturing cigarettes of the type contemplated, in which the plunger is reciprocably mounted in a cylinder and in which a vacuum connection is provided in the axial end of the cylinder to permit substantially unobstructed straight line passage of filter material through the plunger, the cylinder, and into the vacuum connection.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a vacuum system for a cigarette machine for making cigarettes of the type contemplated in which such system includes a vacuum pump, a trap chamber, and a rotary control valve, such control valve being operated in timed relation to the remainder of the machine and the trap chamber incorporating means to maintain a substantially constant vacuum in the system.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a vacuum system for use in a machine for making cigarettes of the type contemplated, such system incorporating a trap chamber of sufiicient size to contain filter material or lint accumulated during a normal days run of the machine, and in which the lint or filter material in the trap chamber does not affect the degree of Vacuum present in the system.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a vacuum system for use in a cigarette machine for ma. g cigarettes of the type contemplated, such system including a trap chamber for receiving filter material or lint and in which such trap chamber may be conveniently disassembled, emptied and cleaned, and reassembled without the use of special tools and only necessitating interruption of the operation of the machine for a relatively short time.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a vacuum system for use in a machine for manufacturing cigarettes of the type contemplated, such system including a trap chamber and in which such trap chamber is provided with an adjustable relief valve for adjustably maintaining a substantially constant vacuum in the system.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. l is a fragmentary side elevational view showing the mounting and drive for the turret of the cigarette machine aswell as the mounting and drive for the vacuum plunger and the rotary vacuum control valve;

Fig. 2, a fragmentary top plan View ofv the structure shown in Fig. l and also showing diagrammatically the mouthpiece forming and feeding means for feeding a pro formed mouthpiece to the turret;

Fig. 3, an exploded top plan view to an enlarged scale and with parts broken away and in section for greater clarity, and showing the turret, the vacuum plunger, a portion of the mouthpiece feeding means and the various positions occupied by the plunger during operation of the machine;

Fig. 4, a vertical sectional exploded view of the turret and vacuum plunger shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5, anend elevational view of the mouthpiece engaging end of the vacuum plunger;

Fig. 6, an end elevational view of the mouthpiece with the filter material or cotton in place and showing the prongs or tabs projecting radially inwardly for locating the filter material;

Fig. 7, a sectional view of the turret mounting means and the cam drive mechanism for the turret;

Fig. 8, a sectional view of the turret mounting means as well as the cam drive therefor taken from the side;

Fig. 9, a diagrammatic plan View of the turret and cam drive mechanism with the turret in operative position and just prior to initiation of turret movement by the cam;

generally at 26.

Fig. 10, a view similar to Fig. 9 and showing the relative position of the turret, the cam follower and the cam after movement of the turret through forty-five degrees of the ninety-degree total movement thereof and after thirtysix degrees rotation of the cam;

Fig. 11, a view similar to Fig. 9 and showing the turret after completion of the ninety-degree movement thereof and the position of the cam after seventy-two degrees rotation and further showing engagement of the cam follower rollers with the rib of the cam which serves to lock the turret in fixed position; and

Fig. 12, a diagrammatic view with parts in section for greater clarity and showing the turret, the vacuum plunger and the vacuum system incorporating the rotary control valve, the trap chamber and the vacuum pump.

With continued reference to the drawing, it is to be noted that only such potrions of a cigarette machine are shown as are necessary to a complete and full description of the improvements contemplated by this invention, and it is believed that a further showing of the various elements of the machine would serve no useful purpose and only tend to confuse the description and showing of this invention.

With particular reference to Figs. 1, 2 and 12, the cigarette machine in which the improvements of this invention are incorporated may well comprise a frame 10 which serves to support a turret mounting means 11, a vacuum plunger mounting means 12, a vacuum plunger drive means 13, a main drive gear 14, a vacuumcontrol valve 15, and a mouthpiece forming and feeding means 16. Connected to the vacuum plunger mechanism 17 is a vacuum system including the vacuum control valve 15, a trap chamber 18 and a vacuum pump 19.

With particular reference to Figs. 1, 7 and 8, the mounting 11 for the turret may well comprise an upstanding, tubular housing 20 provided with a mounting plate 21 for securing the same to the frame 10 of the machine, the housing 20 being provided with spaced bearings 22 and 23 which serve to rotatably mount therein a shaft 24 upon the upper end of which is secured a turret 25, and upon the lower end of which is secured a cam follower shown The tubular housing 11 extends upwardly from a generally rectangularhousing 27 from one side of which projects a tubular extension 28 which serves to receive a bearing 29, there being journalled in this bearing 29 the cam shaft 30. Also extending from the housing 27 and the tubular extension 28 is a flange 31 provided with secure the housing 27 to the frame 10 of the cigarette machine. The opposite end of shaft 30 is journalled in a bearing 33 received in a boss 34 in a side wall 35 of the housing 27, and the housing 27 is provided in one side thereof with an aperture 36 for. permitting the introduction of suitable lubricant into the interior of housing 27 and this aperture 36 may be closed by a suitable screwthreaded plug 37. In order to permit convenient draining of the lubricant from the housing 27 when it is desired to renew the same or for repair purposes, the housing 27 may be provided with an aperture 38 in the bottom wall port 39 thereof, and this aperture may be closed by a suitable screw-threaded plug 40. Also provided in one wall of the housing 27 is an inspection opening 41 which is disposed opposite the cam follower 26 and may provide convenient inspection of such cam follower as well as the cam to be presently described and the inspection opening 41 may beconveniently closed by a plate 42, normally held in place by suitable screw-threaded or other fastening means 43. Mounted on the cam shaft 30 for rotation therewith and disposed within the housing 27 is a cam 44, the structure of which will be presently described.

The cam follower 26, as best shown in Figs. 7 and 8,

may well comprise a disc-like member 45 fixed to a hub 46 which may be secured upon the vertical shaft 24 for rotation therewith by any suitable means, such as'screw 6. threaded fastening means 47 which extends through cars 48 and 49 of the hub 46, there being a split 50 between the ears 48 and 49 which permits the hub 46 to be adjustably clamped to the shaft 24 by the screw-threaded fastening means 47, thereby permitting adjustment of the cam follower 46 with relation to the turret 25.

The disc 45 is provided with a plurality of depending rollers 51 and as shown in Figs. 9, 10 and 11, there are four such rollers 52, 53, 54 and 55, spaced ninety degrees apart. The purpose and operation of these rollers will be presently described.

It is to be noted that the cam shaft 30 is offset from the axis of the vertical shaft 24 by reason of which, as shown in Figs. 7, 9, l0 and 11, the cam 44 cooperates with two of the rollers 51 while remaining out of engagement with the remaining two rollers.

As best shown in Figs. 7, 8 and 9, the cam 44 may well comprise a body 56 secured to the cam shaft 30 for rotation therewith, and this body 56 may be provided with an annular rib 57 extending partially around the circumference thereof. The rib 57 throughout the greater part of its length, is substantially square in cross section and the side walls 58 and 59 are substantially parallel, and the distance between such side walls is substantially equal to the distance between the rollers 51 on the cam follower 26. The rib 57 terminates at one end in a tapered portion 60, the wall 59 of the rib 57 merging into an outwardly curved surface 61 and the wall 58 of the rib 57 merging into a wall 62 extending diagonally across the body 56 of the cam 44, and providing one wall of a cam track 63.

The opposite end of the rib 57 terminates in an enlarged ofiset portion 64, one wall of which 65' merges into the sidewall 59 of the rib 57 and is substantially'parallel to the wall 62 of the opposite end of the rib 57 to provide the other wall of the cam track 63. The wall 58 of the rib 57 on the opposite end thereof merges into a curved roller engaging surface 66, the radius of which is greater than the radius of the rollers 51 and, as best shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the roller engaging surface 66 faces in the direction of rotation of the cam 44.

With particular reference to Figs. 3, 4, 7 and 8, the turret 25 may well comprise a disc-like member 67 secured to the upper end of shaft 24 for rotation therewith, and the disc-like member-67 is provided with transverse bores extending therethrough disposed at right angles to each other and intersecting atthe center in alignment with the axis of shaft 24. Each transverse bore is in effect divided into two sections at opposite sides of the center, thereby in effect providing four bores 68, 69, 70 and 71. Bores 68 and 70 are provided with aligned, diametrically disposed grooves 72 and 73 in opposite side walls there of, and bores 69 and 71 are provided with aligned, diametrically disposed grooves 74 and 75. The purpose of these grooves will be presently described.

A plurality of apertures 76, 77, 78 and 79 are provided in the top wall of the disc-like member 67 and these apertures communicate respectively with the bores 68, 69, 70 and 71. The purpose and operation of these apertures 76,

77, 78 and 79 will be later described in connection with the operation of the apparatus.

The vacuum plunger 17 and the means for reciprocably mounting the same on the frame ll) of the machine may well comprise a tubular cylindrical member 80 se cured to the frame 10 of the machine, and one end of this cylinder 80 is closed as at 81 and is provided with a fitting 82, the purpose of which will be presently described. Cylinder 80 serves to slidably receive a tubular piston 83 which in turn carries the elongated tubular vacuum plunger 84. It is to be noted that plunger 84 is reduced in diameter with relation to the inner diameter of piston 83, and in order that the piston 83 and plunger 84 may be reciprocated there is provided a bracket 85 secured to the frame 10 by suitable fastening means 86, the bracket 85 serving to carry a slide in the form of a rod 87 secured at one end to a portion 88 of the bracket and at the opposite end to a bracket 89, also secured to the frame 10 of the machine. Slidably mounted on the slide 87 is a crosshead 90 to which may be secured a link 91 which in turn is provided with a transversely extending member 92 which is connected or secured to the piston 83. It will be obvious therefore, that reciprocation of the crosshead 90 on the slide or rod 87 will, through the link 91 and member 92, serve to reciprocate the piston 83 and the vacuum plunger 84 carried thereby within the cylinder 80.

The gear 14, rotatably mounted on the frame 10 of the machine, is continuously driven by the driving mechanism of the machine and this gear meshes with a gear 93 which serves as a crank plate for a connecting rod 94 connected thereto and to the crosshead 90 by a suitable Wrist pin 95, the connecting rod 94 being connected to the gear 93 by a crank pin 96. The gear 93 meshes with an idler gear 97 mounted for rotation on the frame 10 of the machine, and this idler gear 97 in turn meshes with a gear 98 secured to a shaft 99 which is rotatable on the frame 10 of the machine, and shaft 99 carried a sprocket 100 which drivingly engages a chain 101, which in turn is trained over a sprocket 102 secured to the cam shaft 30 for driving the same. It will thus be seen that upon rotation of the gear 14 the vacuum plunger 84 will be reciprocated in timed relation to the operation of the machine and also, the cam mechanism for rotating the turret 25 in step-by-step movements will be operated in timed relation to the remainder of the machine.

Connected to the fitting 82 in the closed end 81 of the cylinder 80 is a conduit 103 which is connected to a,

passage 104 in the body 105 of the rotary valve 15, and a second passage 106 is provided in the'body 105 to which is connected a conduit 107. The body 105 of the valve 15 is provided with an annular recess 108 within which is rotatably mounted a valve member 109 carried by the shaft 99, which in turn is secured to the gear 98. Sonsequently, the valve member109 rotates with the gear 98 in timed relation to the remainder of the machine. The passages 104 and 106 communicate with the annular recess 108 and, as will be seen from an inspection of Fig. ,12, the valve member 109 is provided with a re cess 110 in the circumference thereof, the length of which recess is appreciably greater than the distance between the passages 104 and 106. It is further to be noted that the side of the valve body 105 opposite to the passages 104 and 106 is cut away to permit a portion of the valve member 109 to project therefrom. It is further to be noted that the length of the recess 110 in the valve memher 109 is suflicient to permit communication of the passage 106 with the atmosphere when the recess 110 communicates with the passage 106 and with the atmosphere exteriorly of the cut away portion of the body 105.

The trap chamber 18 is provided with a cover plate 111 and in the lower surface of such plate there is provided an annular groove 112 within which may be disposed a sealing gasket 113. A cup-shaped receptacle 114 of suflicient size may be provided with a rolled or otherwise suitably formed upper edge 115, which serves to'engage the gasket 113 in airtight relation, and the rolled edge 115 of the receptacle 114 may be tightly held in engagement with the gasket 113 by a bail 116 pivotally mounted on the plate 111 at 117, the bail having a lower portion 118 extending beneath the receptacle 114 and being provided with a screw-threaded member 119 extending therethrough and having a finger engaging knob 120 at the lower end thereof, and a washer 121 swiveled on the upper end thereof for engagement with the bottom wall 122 of the receptacle 114. Obviously, tightening of the screw-threaded member 119 will force the receptacle upwardly and the upper edge 115 thereof into tight engagement with the gasket 113, and upon loosening of the screw-threaded member 119 the bail 116 may be pivotally moved to one side and the receptacle 114 removed for emptying and cleaning.

A nipple 123 extends through the plate 111 centrally thereof and downwardly into the receptacle 114 midway of the length thereof. The nipple 123 may be connected to a T-fitting 124 which in turn is connected to the conduit 107 from the passage 106 in the valve 15, and also connected to the T-fitting 124 through a suitable conduit 125 is a vacuum gauge 126 which serves to visually indicate the degree of vacuum Within the receptacle 114.

Also disposed in the plate 111 and communicating with the interior of the receptacle 114, is a relief valve 127 which may comprise a body 128 extending through the plate 111, there being a valve stem 129 slidably received in the body 128 and provided at its lower end with a valve member 130 which serves to cooperate with a seat in the body 128. The valve member 130 is normally held in engagement with the seat by a compression spring 131 received about the valve stem 129 above the body 128, and pressure of this spring 131 may be conveniently adjusted by a nut 132 threadedly received on the upper end of the valve stem 129.

A vacuum conduit 133 is connected through the plate 111 to the interior of receptacle 114, and the Vacuum conduit 133 is in turn connected to the intake of vacuum pump 19 which may be of the rotary vane or any other desired type and the pump 19 is provided with a suitable discharge conduit 134. Obviously, operation of the vacuum pump 19 will serve to provide a vacuum within the receptacle 114, the degree of such vacuum being determined by the adjustment of the relief valve 127.

Secured to the nipple 123 extending within the receptacle 114 is a bafile 135 of relatively flat conical shape and this baffle may, if desired, engage the side wall of the receptacle 114 intermediate the ends thereof. The baffle 135 is provided with a plurality of apertures 136 extending therethrough and secured to the lower surface of a the batlle 135 and covering the apertures 136 is a relatively fine mesh screen 137. As clearly shown in Fig. 12 the nipple 123 extends through the baffle 135 and terminates beneath the same, thereby discharging air into the receptacle 114 beneath the screen 137 on the lower surface of the bafile 135.

The purpose and operation of each element of the vacuum system above described will be fully set forth in connection with the description of the operation of the entire machine.

With particular reference to Figs. 3, 4 and 5, the vacuum plunger 84 is provided at its outer end with a tip 138 which may be in the form of a bifurcated member having a circular end 139 and legs 140 and 141 diverging from the end 139 and terminating in shoulders 142 and 143. Extending rearwardly from the shoulders 142 and 143 and secured to the outer side wall of the vacuum plunger 84 are elongated ribs 144 and 145, the purpose of which will be later described. It is to be noted that the legs 140 and 141 of the bifurcated tip 138 provide a generally triangular space 146 therebetween which per mits a substantially unobstructed passage into the end of the vacuum plunger 84.

A mouthpiece 147 with which this invention is designed to operate may, as best shown in Figs. 3 and 6, comprise an elongated tubular member 148 of coiled, relatively stiff paper and midway of the length thereof there may be provided a plurality of inwardly-extending substantially radially disposed prongs or tabs 149 punched from the material of the tubular member 148. The tubular member 148 serves to receive between the prongs 149 and the inner end 150 thereof filter material in the form of a wad of cotton 151, or other suitable material, and as shown in Fig. 3 there is provided adjacent the turret 25 a suitable mechanism 152 which of course operates in timed relation to the remainder of the machine, and serves to receive mouthpieces 147 having filter material 151 therein for assembly of the same with the relatively thin paper cigarette tube, after which tobacco may be introduced into the tube or,if desired, the tube may be already filled with tobacco prior to assembly of It is to be noted that the mouthpiece forming and feeding means 16 has only been shown diagrarnrnatically since this mechanism is conventional and forms no part of the instant invention, and furthermore the feeding means for the filter material 151 has not been shown since this is likewise conventional, and in the eventcotton is utilized for such filter material the same is normally fed from above the turret 25 in the form of an endless strand and a suitable length of such strand is automatically cut off just above the aperture 76 to which the same is to be fed, thus forming a wad of such material which is deposited in the aperture 151 as shown in Fig. 3. A wad of such filter material will be deposited in each of the apertures .77, 78 and 79 when they occupy the posi-. tion as shown in Fig. 3 due to step-by-step rotation of the turret 25. Of course other filter material may be utilized if desired, and if so very possibly other and different feeding means might be employed, but since the same forms no part of this invention any showing or description thereof is considered unnecessary and would only tend to confuse the. description of this invention without materially contributing to such disclosure.

In operation and with particular reference to Fig. 3, it may be assumed that a suitably coiled mouthpiece 147 has been inserted in the bore 68 which subsequently moved to the position shown in Fig. 3. It is further to be assumed that the prongs 149 project inwardly from the elongated tube 148 forming the mouthpiece 147 and that these prongs 149 are properly disposed therein. Also, a wad of filter material 151 has been deposited in the aperture 76 communicating with the bore 68.

At this time, due to thextimed operation of the machine, rotation of the gear 93 will to the connecting rod 94 reciprocate the crosshead 90, which in turn reciprocates the piston 83 and the vacuum plunger 84 carried thereby within the cylinder 80, and the vacuum plunger 84 moves forwardly until such time as the circular head 139 on the tip 138 engages the prongs 149 within the mouthpiece 147, and also the ribs 144 and 145 enter the diametrically disposed grooves 72 and 73 in the wall of bore 68. This inter-engagement of the ribs and grooves provides a guide for the vacuum plunger 84 and maintains substantially accurate alignment thereof with the bore 68 and the diametrically opposite bore 70.

As the circular head139 engages theprongs 149, rotation of the valve member 109 inthe valve body 105 of the vacuum control valve 15 brings the recess 110 in the valve member 109 intocommunication withboth the passages 104 and 106, thus applying a vacuum to the interior of vacuum plunger 84. This vacuum results in drawing the wad of filter material 151, disposed in the aperture 76 into the mouthpiece 147 between the end 150 thereof and the prongs 149, this filter material occupying the position as shown at the extreme left of Fig. 3.

Continued inward movement of the vacuum plunger 84:

will cause the mouthpiece 147, by reason of the engagement of the circular end 139 of the tip 138 therewith, to move through the bore 68 into the diametrically opposite bore 70 and into the mechanism 152 where the same is assembled with the relativelythin paper cigarette tube. Upon completion of this ejecting movement of the mouthpiece 147, the vacuum plunger 84 and tip 138 carried thereby is retractedthrough the bores 70 and 68 to substantially the position shown in full lines in Fig. 3. Also, at the time the vacuum plunger 34 is at the position shown at the extreme left of Fig. 3, the rotary valve member 149 will have moved to a position where the recess 110 therein moves out of communication between the bores 104 and 106, thus removing the application of vacuum to the interior of vacuum plunger .84. This results in destroying any tendency to withdraw the mouthpiece 147 into the bore 70 upon retraction of the plunger 84.

Since the cam shaft 30 and the cam 44 carried thereby is continuously rotating by reason of the drive connection through the chain 101 and the gear train above described which meshes with the constantly rotating gear 14, upon the vacuum plunger 84 reaching the position shown in full lines at the right of Fig. 3, the cam 44 will at this time reach substantially the position shown in Fig. 9. At this time the roller engaging surface 66 on the offset enlarged portion 64 of the rib 57 will move into engagement with the roller and will substantially instantaneously accelerate the movement of roller 55 and cam follower 26 to which the same is attached from zero to maximum in the direction of the arrow as shown in Fig. 9. This movement Will of course result inrotation of the shaft 24 and the turret 25 carried thereby. In view of the offset relationship of the cam shaft 30 and the vertical shaft 24, engagement of the surface 66 with the roller 55 will only take place during a limited angular movement of the cam 44, and such movement will be somewhat less than 36 degrees as shown in Fig. 10 since upon disengagement of the surface 66 with the roller 55, the roller 54 will enter the cam track 63 between end walls 62 and of the rib 57, and as shown in Fig. 10 the continued movement of the cam follower 26 will result from movement of the roller 54 through the cam track 63. During such movement of the roller 54 through the cam track 63 the rotation of the cam follower 26 is decelerating at a relatively slow rate, which results in substantially eliminating shock to the equipment when the cam follower 26 and turret 25 carried thereby comes to rest and is locked against further movement until the next cycle of the apparatus begins.

Since the cam follower 26 and turret 25 moves through an angular distance of ninety degrees during each cycle of operation thereof, it is to be noted from an inspection of Fig. 10 that one half or forty-five degrees of this angular movement is accomplished by thirty-six degrees of rotation of the cam 44. 7

During the remaining thirty-six degrees of rotation of the cam 44 to complete the ninety-degree rotation of the turret 25, the roller 54 proceeds through the cam track 63 i and prior to disengagement of such roller 54 with the cam track 63 the following roller 53 will move into engagement with the curved side wall 61 of the rib 57 and upon reaching the position shown in Fig. 11, at which time the cam 44has completed seventy-two degrees of rotation and the turret 25 has completed ninety degrees of rotation, the rollers 53 and 54 will be disposed directly opposite each other and in engagement with the side walls 59 and 58 respectively of the rib 57, and will remain in engagement therewith until the neXt cycle of operation commences at which time the turret 25 will again be rotated through ninety degrees. This engagement of the rollers 53 and 54 with the side Walls 59 and 58 respectively of the rib 57, serves to firmly and accurately lock the turret 25 in position thereby insuring that the tip 138 of the vacuum plunger 84 will be accurately aligned with the next bore 71 in the turret 25, thereby preventing misalignment of such parts with consequent damage to the tip 138 of the plunger 84 upon forward movement thereof into the bore 71 of the turret 25. The above described cycle of operation of the cam 44 and the turret 25 is, of course, repeated continuously since the cam 44 continuously rotates, and during the periods of dwell of the turret 25 the operation described above with respect to engagement of the plunger 84 in the bore of the turret to move the filter material 151 into place in the mouthpiece 147, and to move the mouthpiece through the aligned diametrically disposed bores and into the assembly mechanism 152, is accomplished, and during this period of time the turret 25 is accurately and firmly locked in position by engagement of adjacent rollers with the side walls of the rib 57.

Since the engagement between the cam and the rollers of the cam follower is direct and does not depend upon any interconnecting gear train or the like, all backlash and play is substantially eliminated, thus insuring align- 11 ment of the plunger 84 with the bores in the turret 25; and furthermore, since the movement of the turret 25 must take place in a relatively short period of time the cam drive mechanism above described provides a substantially instantaneous acceleration from zero tomaximum, and in order to prevent any danger of over-run of the turret and cam follower the deceleration from maximum to zero is at a relatively slow rate. In this manner the tapered end 60 of the nb 57 moves between the adjacent rollers and smoothly engages the same in order to provide the locking function above described. Obviously the turret 25 may be adjusted with relation to the cam follower 26 in order to provide accurate alignment between the bores in the turret 25 and the vacuum plunger 84, and since the cam drive mechanism operates with comparatively little shock even though acceleration is extremely rapid, the adjustments between these partswill not be destroyed thereby and consequently alignment is maintained and shutdowns due to damage of the plunger 84 and tip 138 carried thereby due to misalignment and engagement of such plunger with the turret itself, are substantially prevented.

The cam drive mechanism for the turret, the operation of which has just been described, forms an extremely important part-of this invention since heretofore in prior art machines a large proportion of the damage and loss of production time to such machines has been as a result of misalignment between the vacuum plunger and the bores in the turret, due to play or backlash in the turret drive mechanism, and'consequently this drive mechanism constitutes a material step forward in the art.

While as above described the vacuum system normally operates merely to draw the filter material 151 from the apertures 76, 77, 78 or 79 into the mouthpiece 147 disposed in the bore of the turret 25, in the event the prongs 149 are absent or misplaced thereby eliminating any abutment for the filter material 151 within-the mouthpiece 147 the vacuum system also operates in this event to remove the filter material 151 from the mouthpiece 147 thereby preventing the assembly of a mouthpiece and filter material with a cigarette tube wherein the filter material might easily become displaced or removed therefrom. The filter material is removed from the mouthpiece 147 by being drawn through the opening 146 provided by the legs 140 and 141 of the bifurcated tip 138 into the interior of the plunger 84 and through the piston 83 into the cylinder 80, and out of such cylinder through the fitting 82 and vacuum conduit 103. Since at this time the passage 104 in the valve body 105 is through the recess 110 in communication with the passage 106, the filter material will pass through the passage 104, the recess 110 and the passage 106 into the conduit 107 and through the fitting 123 in the plate 111, into the interior of receptacle 114 below the screen 137 on the bafiie 135. The screen 137 prevents upward movement of the filter material 151 through the apertures 136 and the vacuum connection 133 into the vacuum pump 119.

It will be noted that communication between the plunger 84 and the fitting 82, to which is connected the conduit 103, is in an unobstructed substantially straight line and that consequently, movement of the filter material therethrough is not impeded in any way and consequently any collection of the same within the cylinder 80 is prevented, thereby eliminating the necessity for frequently disassembling this mechanism to permit cleaning of collected filter material therefrom.

As mentioned above, the angular length of the recess 110 in the rotary valve member 109 is sufiicient to permit communication of the passage 106 with the atmosphere after communication of the passage 106 with the passage 104 has been cut off, and this serves to prevent an undue collection of the filter material 151 or lint therefrom on the screen 134 disposed on the lower surface of baffie 135. As will be seen from an inspection of Fig. 12, upon communication of the passage 106 with the atmosphere, the vacuum within the receptacle 114 below the baffle 135 will be at least partially destroyed and any filter material or lint clinging to the lower surface of the screen 137 will fall away therefrom and into the lower part of the receptacle 114, thus maintaining screen 137 in a relatively clean condition and permitting substantially unobstructed flow of air therethrough at all times. Of course, upon communication of the conduit 147 with the atmosphere, thus partially destroying the vacuum in the receptacle 114, the relief valve 127 will close thereby permitting a relatively rapid build-up of the vacuum in the receptacle 114 after communication between the passage 106 and the atmosphere is destroyed by further rotation of the valve member 109 in the body of the control valve 15.

As stated above, the nut 132 on the relief valve 127 may be adjusted in such a manner as to provide a substantially constant vacuum in the receptacle 114, except during such periods of time as the same is connected to the atmosphere through the passage 106 and the recess in the valve member 109, and during operation of the plunger 84 to draw filter material 151 into the mouthpiece 147, and during the forward advancing movement of the plunger 84 the vacuum therein will be maintained substantially constant by reason of the operation of relief valve 127. v

The receptacle 114 is of sutlicient size to normally retain all of the filter material 151 which is collected thereby during a days run of the apparatus, or of course the size of this receptacle may be so proportioned as to accommodate the filter material collected therein during any desired period of operation Within practical limits of size. Upon completion of the days run or at any other desired time the receptacle 114 may be conveniently removed by manipulation of the screw-threaded member 119 through the finger engaging knob 120, and such receptacle emptied and cleaned and at the same time any filter material or lint clinging to the screen 137 may likewise be removed therefrom. The vacuum pump 19 may be of any desiredsize or type sutficient to provide the required degree of vacuum and it is intended that this pump will operate continuously, the degree of vacuum in the receptacle 114 and the remainder of the vacuum system being controlled solely by the relief valve 127. The vacuum gauge 126 provides a convenient means for visually indicating the degree of vacuum present in the system, and obviously any failure of the system or the vacuum pump will be immediately apparent from this gauge 126 and the operator may thereupon shut down the machine and make an inspection to ascertain the cause of vacuum failure. As will be seen, the structure of the rotary control valve 15 is relatively simple and provides a substantially straight line passage therethrough Without relatively small passages or parts which would obstruct the movement of filter material therethrough, and consequently any failure in operation of this valve due to collection of filter material therein is substantially eliminated.

The apparatus of this invention may be conveniently installed on existing cigarette machines for making cigarettes of the type contemplated by merely substituting the cam drive mechanism described above for the drive mechanism supplied on such machine, and this, as will be apparent, can be accomplished without substantially any modification of the machine by merely substituting the entire drive housing and turret for the housing and turret supplied on the original machine.

Likewise the vacuum plunger mechanism may be applied to the machine without extensive modification or redesign thereof since the drive mechanism utilized is already present and it is merely necessary to install a suitable cylinder for receiving the piston which serves to carry the vacuum plunger, and to make the necessary vacuum connections thereto. Likewise, the vacuum control valve 15 may be conveniently installed in operative relationship with the shaft which serves to drive the turret drive mechanism, and consequently installation of the entire apparatus may be accomplished conveniently and with little alteration or material change inthe original machine. Obviously, as described above, the apparatus of this invention results in materially improved operation of the machine by reason of eliminating frequent shutdowns due to damage of various parts and at the same time the novel turret drive mechanism allows relatively rapid operation of the machine and the novel vacuum system prevents failure due to collections of filter material or lint therein, and furthermore filter material and lint collected in the container provided therefor may be conveniently removed and the container and separating screen or bafile cleaned for future operation.

While the apparatus to this invention has been described in considerable detail, it will be seen that in reality the same is relatively simple, and while certain of the parts require relatively close manufacturing tolerances nevertheless such parts have been maintained at a minimum and by reason of the fact that the drive mechanism inherently tends to eliminate substantially all play and backlash, extremely accurate positioning of the turret is possible and thereby there is removed a major cause of failure in prior art machines.

It has also been found that the design of the tip on the vacuum plunger is of material importance, since heretofore such tip restricted the opening into the vacuum plunger to a relatively great degree and thereby impeded entrance of filter material to the interior of the plunger and this also resulted in frequent failure of the apparatus.

It will thereby be seen that the apparatus of this invention has resulted in materially improving cigarette machines of the type for manufacturing cigarettes having mouthpieces provided with filter material therein, and that these advantages are attained by relatively minor changes in the cigarette machine and without material modification or alteration thereof. Since failures in operation or breakdown of the machine are substantially eliminated, the production of cigarettes is maintained at a relatively high rate and the cost of such production is materially lowered, and a relatively large investment for standby machines is substantially eliminated.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made in the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, and therefore the invention is not limited by that which is shown in the drawing and described in the specification, but only as indicated in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a machine for making cigarettes of the type having a mouthpiece of coiled relatively stiff paper received within the relatively thin paper cigarette tube and a mass of filter material received within said mouthpiece between the tobacco in said tube and integral prongs extending radially inwardly of said mouthpiece, a turret comprising a disc-like member mounted for step by step rotation about a vertical axis, bores extending diametrically through said turret at right anglesto each other, opposed grooves in said bores, spaced apertures in the upper surface of said turret communicating with said bores outwardly of the point of intersection of said bores, a cam follower fixed to said turret, a cam engaging said follower, said cam being provided with a contour whereby upon rotation of said cam through seventy-two degrees said turret will be rotated ninety degrees and rigidly locked in position during the remaining two hundred eighty-eight degrees rotation of said cam, a hollow plunger reciprocably mounted on said machine for movement into and out of the bores in said turret, a tip on said plunger for engaging said prongs and guide ribs on said plunger for slidably engaging said grooves, a vacuum system comprising a vacuum pump, a trap chamber and a rotary valve connected in series with said plunger and an adjustable relief valve in said trap chamber for controlling the vacuum applied to said plunger, means for feeding a formed mouthpiece into one of said bores in one positiori of said turret, one of said apertures in a second position of said turret serving to receive a mass of filter material and means for driving said cam, said plunger and said valve in timed relation whereby upon feeding of a mouthpiece intoone of said bores in said one position said turret will rotate ninety degrees to said second position at which a mass of filter material will be fed to one of said apertures, said valve will operate to apply vacuum to said plunger, said plunger will advance into said bore at said second position, said tip engaging said prongs and said filter material being drawn into said mouthpiece into engagement with said prongs by said vacuum, continued movement of said plunger serving to move said mouthpiece through said bore and eject the same for assembly with a cigarette tube, said vacuum being released prior to ejection of said mouthpiece from said bore and said vacuum serving to draw said filter material into said trap chamber in the event said mouthpiece feeding means fails to feed a mouthpiece to said bore or in. the event said prongs are misplaced.

2. In a machine for making cigarettes of the type having a mouthpiece of coiled relatively stiff paper received within the relatively thin paper cigarette tube and a mass of filter material received within said mouthpiece between the tobacco in said tube and integral prongs extending radially inwardly of said mouthpiece, a turret comprising a disc-like member mounted for step by step rotation, bores extending diametrically through said turret at right angles to each other, opposed grooves in said bores, spaced apertures in the upper surface of said turret communicating with said bores outwardly of the point of in tersection of said bores, a cam follower fixed to said turret, a cam engaging said follower, said cam being provided with a contour whereby upon rotation of said cam through seventy-two degrees said turret will be rotated ninety degrees and rigidly locked in position during the remaining two hundred eighty-eight degrees rotation of said cam, a hollow plunger reciprocably mounted on said machine for movement into and out of the bores in said ,turret, a tip on said plunger for engaging said prongs and guide ribs on said plunger for slidably engaging said grooves, a vacuum system comprising a vacuum pump, a trap chamber and a rotary valve'connected in series with said plunger and an adjustable relief valve in said trap chamber for controlling the vacuum applied to said plunger, means for feeding a formed mouthpiece into one of said bores in one position of said turret, one of said apertures in a second position of said turret serving to receive a mass of filter material and means for driving i said tip engaging said prongs and said filter material being drawn into said mouthpiece into engagement with said prongs by said vacuum, continued movement of said plunger serving to move said mouthpiece through said bore and eject the same for assembly with a cigarette tube, said vacuum being released prior to ejection of said mouthpiece from said bore and said vacuum serving to draw said filter material into said trap chamber in the event said mouthpiece feeding means fails to feed a mouthpiece to said bore or in the event said prongs are misplaced.

3. In a machine for making cigarettes of the type having a mouthpiece of coiled relatively stiff paper received within the relatively thin paper cigarette tube and a mass of filter material received within said mouthpiece between the tobacco in said tube and integral prongs extending radially inwardly of said mouthpiece, a turret comprising a disc'like member mounted for step by step rotation, bores extending diametrically through said turret at right angles to each other, spaced apertures in the upper surface of said turret communicating with said bores outwardly of the point of intersection of said bores, a cam follower fixed to said turret, a cam engaging said follower, said cam being provided with a contour whereby upon rotation of said cam through seventy-two degrees said turret will be rotated ninety degrees and rigidly locked in position during the remaining two hundred eighty-eight degrees rotation of said cam, a hollow plunger reciprocably mounted on said machine for movement into and out of the bores in said turret, a tip on said plunger for engaging said prongs, a vacuum system comprising a vacuum pump, a trap chamber and a rotary valve connected in series with said plunger and an adjustable relief valve in said trap chamber for controlling the vacuum applied to said plunger, means for feeding a formed mouthpiece into one of said bores in one position of said turret, one of said apertures in a second position of said turret serving to receive a mass of filter ma terial and means for driving said cam, said plunger and said rotary valve in timed relation whereby upon feeding to move said mouthpiece through said bore and eject the same for assembly with a cigarette tube, said vacuum being released prior to ejection of said mouthpiece from said bore and said vacuum serving to draw said filter material into said trap chamber in the event said mouthpiece feeding means fails to feed a mouthpiece to said bore or in the event said prongs are misplaced.

5. In a machine for making cigarettes of the'type having a mouthpiece of coiled relatively stiff paper received Within the relatively thin paper cigarette tube and a mass of filter material received within said mouthpiece between the tobacco in said tube and integral prongs extending of a mouthpiece into one of said bores in said one position said turret will rotate ninety degrees to said second position at which a mass of filter material will be fed to one of said apertures, said rotary valve will operate to apply vacuum to said plunger, said plunger will advance into said bore at said second position, said tip engaging said prongs and said filter material being drawn into said mouthpiece into engagement with said prongs by said vacuum, continued movement of said plungers serving to move said mouthpiece through said bore and eject the same for assembly with a cigarette tube, said vacuum being released prior to ejection of said mouthpiece from said bore and said vacuum serving to draw said filter material into said trap chamber in the event said mouthpiece feeding means fails to feed a mouthpiece to said bore or in the event said prongs are misplaced.

4. In a machine for making cigarettes of the type having a mouthpiece of coiled relatively stiff paper received within the relatively thin paper cigarette tube and a mass of filter material received within said mouthpiece between the tobacco in said tube and integral prongs extending radially inwardly of said mouthpiece, a turret comprising a disc-like member mounted for step by step rotation, bores extending diametrically through said turret at right angles to each other, spaced apertures in the upper surface of said turret communicating with said bores outwardly of the point of intersection of said bores, a' cam follower fixed to said turret, a cam engaging said follower, said cam being provided with a contour whereby upon partial rotation of said cam said turret will be rotated ninety degrees and rigidly locked in position dur ing the remaining rotation of said cam, a hollow plunger reciprocably mounted on said machine for movement into and out of said bores in said turret, a tip on said plunger for engaging said prongs, a vacuum system comprising a vacuum pump, a trap chamber and a rotary valve connected in series with said plunger and an ad justable relief valve in said trap chamber for controlling the vacuum applied to said plunger, means for feeding a formed mouthpiece into one of said bores in one position of said turret, one of said apertures in a second position of ,said turret serving to receive a mass of filter material and means for driving said cam, said plunger and said rotary valve in timed relation whereby upon feeding of a mouthpiece into one of said bores in said one position said turret will rotate ninety degrees to said second position at which a mass of filter material will be fed to one of said apertures, said rotary valve will operate to apply vacuum to said plunger, said plunger will advance into said bore at said second position, said tip engaging said prongs and said filter material being drawn into said mouthpiece into engagement with said prongs by said vacuum. continued movement of said plunger serv ing radially inwardly of said mouthpiece, a turret comprising a disc-like member mounted for step by step rotation, bores extending diametrically through said turret at right angles to each other, spaced apertures in the upper surface of said turret communicating with said bores outwardly of the point of intersection of said bores, a cam follower fixed to said turret, a cam engaging said follower, said cam being provided with a contour whereby upon partial rotation of said cam said turret will be rotated ninety degrees and rigidly locked in position during the remaining rotation of said cam, a hollow plunger reciprocably mounted on said machine for movement into and out of the bores in said turret, means on said plunger for engaging said prongs, a vacuum system comprising a vacuum pump, a trap chamber and a rotary valve connected in series with said plunger and an adjustable relief valve in said trap chamber for controlling the vacuum applied to said plunger, means for feeding a formed mouthpiece into one of said bores in one position of said turret, one of said apertures in a second position of said turret serving to receive a mass of filter material and means for driving said cam, said plunger and said rotary valve in timed relation whereby upon feeding of a mouthpiece into one of said bores in said one position said turret will rotate ninety degrees to said second position at which a mass of filter material will be fed to one of said apertures, said rotary valve will operate to apply vacuum to said plunger, said plunger will advance into said bore at said second position to engage said prongs and said filter material being drawn into said mouthpiece into engagement with said prongs by said vacuum, continued movement of said plunger serving to move said mouthpiece through said bore and eject the same for assembly with a cigarette tube, said vacuum being released prior to ejection of said mouthpiece from said bore and said vacuum serving to draw said filter material into said trap chamber in the event said mouthpiece feeding means fails to feed a mouthpiece to said bore or in the event said prongs are misplaced.

6. In amachine for making cigarettes of the type having a mouthpiece of coiled relatively stiff paper received within the relatively thin paper cigarette tube and a mass of filter material received within said mouthpiece between the tobacco in said tube and integral prongs extending radially inwardly of said mouthpiece, a turret comprising a disc-like member mounted for step by step rotation, bores extending diametrically through said turret at right angles to each other, spaced apertures in the upper surface of said turret communicating with said bores outwardly of the point of intersection of said bores, a cam follower fixed to said turret, a cam engaging said follower,

- said cam being provided with a contour whereby upon partial rotation of said cam said turret will be rotated ninety degrees and rigidly locked in position during the remaining rotation of said cam, a hollow plunger reciprocably mounted on said machine for movement into and out of the bores in said turret, means on said plunger for engaging said prongs, a vacuum system comprising a vacuum pump, a trap chamber and a control valve connected in series with said plunger, means for feeding a formed mouthpiece into one of said bores in one position of said turret, one of said apertures in a second position of said turret serving to receive a mass of filter material 17 and means for driving said cam, said plunger and said control valve intimed relation whereby upon feeding of a mouthpiece into one of said bores in said one position said turret will rotate ninety degrees to said second position at which a mass of filter material will be fed to one of said apertures, said control valve will operate to apply vacuum to said plunger, said plunger will advance into said bore at said second position to engage said prongs and said filter material being drawn into said mouthpiece into engagement with said prongs by said vacuum, continued movement of said plunger serving to move said mouthpiece through said bore and eject the same for assembly with a cigarette tube, said vacuum being released prior to ejection of said mouthpiece from said bore and said vacuum serving to draw said filter material into said trap chamber in the event said mouthpiece feeding means fails to feed a mouthpiece to said bore or in the event said prongs are misplaced.

7: In a machine for making cigarettes of the type having a mouthpiece of coiled relatively stiff paper received within the relatively thin paper cigarette tube and a mass of filter material received within said mouthpiece between the tobacco in said tube and integral prongs extending radially inwardly of said mouthpiece, a turret mounted for step by step rotation, bores extending diametrically through said turret at right angles to each other, spaced apertures in the upper surface of said turret communicating with said bores outwardly of the point of intersection ofsaid bores, a cam follower fixed to said turret, a cam engaging said follower, said cam being provided with a contour whereby upon partial rotation of said cam said I turret will berotated ninety degrees and rigidly locked in position during the remaining rotation of said cam, a hollow plunger reciprocably mounted on said machine for movement into and out of the bores in said turret, means on said plunger for engaging said prongs, a vacuum system comprising a vacuum pump, a trap chamber and a control valve connected in series with said plunger, means for feeding a formed mouthpiece into one of said boresrin one position of said turret, one of said apertures in a second position of said turret serving to receive a mass of filter material and means for driving said cam, said plunger and said control valve in timed relation whereby upon feeding of a mouthpiece into one of said bores in said one position said turret will rotate ninety degrees to said second position at which a mass of filter material willbe fed to one of said apertures, said control valve will operate to apply vacuum to said plunger, said plunger will advance into said bore at said second position to engage said prongs and said filter material being drawn into said mouthpiece into engagement with said prongs by said vacuum, continued movement of said plunger serving to move said mouthpiece through said bore and eject the same for assembly with a cigarette tube, said vacuum being released prior to ejection of said mouthpiece from said bore and said vacuum serving to draw said filter material into said trap chamber in the event said mouthpiece feeding means fails to feed a mouthpiece to said bore in the event said prongs are misplaced.

8. In a machine for making cigarettes of the type having a mouthpiece of coiled relatively stiff paper received within the relatively thin paper cigarette tube and amass of filter material received within said mouthpiece between the tobacco in said tube and integral prongs extending radially inwardly of said mouthpiece, a turret mounted for step by step rotation, bores extending diametrically through said turret, spaced apertures in the upper surface of said turret communicating with said bores outwardly of the point of intersection of said bores, a cam follower fixed to said turret, a cam engaging said follower, said cam being provided with a contour whereby upon partial rotation of said cam said turret will be rotated the distance between adjacent bores and rigidly locked in posiment into and out of the bores in said turret, means on said plunger for engaging said prongs, a vacuum system comprising a vacuum pump, a trap chamber and a control valve connected in series with said plunger, means for feeding a formed mouthpiece into one of said bores in one position of said turret, one of said apertures in a second position of said turret serving to receive a mass of filter material and means for driving said cam, said plunger and said controlvalve in timed relation whereby upon feeding of a mouthpiece into one of said bores in said one position said turret will rotate ninety degrees to said second position at which a mass of filter material will be fed to one of said apertures, said control valve will operate to apply vacuum to said plunger, said plunger will advance into said bore at said second position to engage said prongs and said filter material being drawn into said mouthpiece into engagement with said prongs by said vacuum, continued, movement of said plunger serving to move said mouthpiece through said bore and eject the same for assembly with a cigarette tube, said vacuum being released prior to ejection of said mouthpiece from said bore and said vacuum serving to draw said filter material into said trap chamber in the event said mouthpiece feeding means fails to feed a mouthpiece to said here or in the event said prongs are misplaced.

9. An apparatus as defined in claim 3 in which said turret is mounted on one end of a shaft and said cam follower is mounted on the opposite end of said shaft and in which said cam is mounted on a cam shaft dis of said body a distance of two-hundred eighty-eight degrees, the ends of said rib being spaced a distance substantially equal to the diameter of said rollers and providing a curved cam track extending diagonally across said rib, one end of said rib being tapered to provide one wall of said cam track, the opposite end of said rib terminating in an enlarged offset portion with one wall thereof providing the opposite wall offsaid cam track and merging into one side wall of said rib and the oppositeside wall of said rib merging into an arcuate roller engaging surface on said offset portion facing in the direction of rotation of said cam, the radius of said arcuate surface being greater than the radius of said rollers whereby upon rotation of said cam said arcuate surface will engage one of said rollers to rotate said shaft and H engage the side walls of said rib with said last named rollers, the ninety degree rotation of said shaft and turret resulting from a seventy-two degree rotation of said cam. 10. An apparatus as defined in claim 3 in which said turret is mounted on one end of a shaft and said cam follower is mounted on the opposite end of said shaft tion during the remaining rotation of said cam, a hollow plunger reciprocably mounted on said machine for moveand in which said cam is mounted on a cam shaft diseight degrees, the ends of said rib being spaced a distance substantially equal to the diameter of said rollers and providing a curved cam track extending diagonally across said rib, one end of said rib being tapered to provide one wall of said cam track, the opposite end of said rib terininatin'g in an enlarged offset portion, with one wall thereof providing the opposite wall of said cam track and merging into one side wall of said rib and the opposite side wallof said rib merging into an arcuate roller engaging surface on said offset portion facing in the direction of rotation of said cam, the radius of said arcuate s'urface being greater than the radius of said rollers whereby upon rotation of said cam said arcuate surface will engage one of said rollers to rotate said shaft and turrat, the acceleration thereof from zero to maximum being substantially instantaneous, continued rotation of said fc'am serving to disengage said arcuate surface from said roller as the following roller enters said cam track, said cam track serving to complete the rotation of said shaft and turret through a ninety degree are and decelera'te the same at a relatively slow rate, the tapered end ofSaid rib passing between two adjacent rollers to engage the side walls of said rib with said last named riollers, the ninety degree rotation of said shaft and turret resulting from a seventy-two degree rotation of said cam. ill. An apparatus as defined in claim 3 in which said turrje't is mounted on one end of a shaft and said cam follower is mounted on the opposite end of said shaft and in which said cam is mounted on a cam shaft disposed atriglit angles to the axis of said shaft and offset therefrom, said follower comprising a plurality of rollers spaced ninety degrees apart, said cam comprising a generally cylindrical body, an annular rib extending around the circumference of said body a distance of two-hundred eighty-eight degrees, the ends of said rib being spaced a distance substantially equal to the diameter of said foll'e'rsand providing a curved cam track extending diagona'lly across said rib, one end of said rib being tapered to provideone wall of said cam track, the opposite end of said rib terminating in an enlarged offset portion with one wall thereof providing the opposite wall of said (Sam track and merging into one side wall of said rib and the opposite side wall of said rib merging into an af ate roller engaging surface on said offset portion facing in the'direction of rotation of said cam, the radius of said arcuate surface being greater than the radius of'said rollers whereby upon rotation of said cam said ar'cu'ajte surfacerwill engage one of said rollers to rotate said shaftjand turret, the acceleration thereof from zero to maximum being substantially instantaneous, continued rotationjof said cam serving to disengage said arcuate surfacefroin said roller as the following roller enters sia'idcarn track, said cam track serving to complete the rjojtation of said shaft and turret through a ,ninetydegree are 'and'idecelerate the same at a relatively slow rate, the tapered end of said rib passing between two adjacentrollers toeng'age'the side walls of said rib with said last narne'djrollers, the ninety degree rotation of said shaft and turretfresulting from a seventy-two degree rtatio 'ofjsai d cam. i

"12 An apparatus as defined in claim 3 in which said turr is mounted on one end of a shaft and said .cam follower is'mounted on the opposite end of said shaft and in which said'cam is mounted on a camshaft disp sedabright angles to the axis of said shaft and offset the efroin,;'s'aid'follower comprising a plurality of rollers pa ed ninety degrees apart, said cam comprising a genera ll'ycylindrical body, an annular rib extending around the circumference of said body a distance of two-hundred,

eighty-eight degrees, the ends of said rib being spaced a distance substantially equal to the diameter of said rollers'a'nd providin'g acam track extending across said rib, one end of said rib 'being tapered to'provide one wall of s'a'i d'cam track, the opposite end of said rib terminating in an enlarged offset portion with one wall thereof providing theopposite wall of said cam track and merging into one side wall of said rib and the opposite side wallof said rib merging into an arcuate roller engaging surface on said offset portion facing in the direction of rotation of a d am he r d us f sa r ua isur a being r t than the radius of said rollerswhereby upon rotation ,of said cam said arcua'te surface will engage one of said rollersto rotate said shaftandturret, the accelerationther'eof from zero to maximum being substantially instantaneous, continued rotation of said cam serving to disengage said arciuatesurface from said roller asthe following roller enters said cam track, said cam track serving to complete the rotation of said shaft and turret through a ninetyv degree are and decelerate the same at a relatively slow, rate, the tapered end of said rib passing between twoadjacent rollers to engage the side walls of said rib, with said lastnamed rollers,the ninety degreerotation of said shaft and turret resulting from a seventy-two degreerotation ofsaid cam, H

13. An apparatus as defined in claim 3 invwhich s'aid turret is mounted on one end ofa shaft and said cam follower is mounted on the opposite end of said, shaftv and in which saidcam is mounted on a cam shaft disposed at right angles to the axis of said shaft. and offset therefrom, said cam follower comprising a plurality of rollers spaced ninety degrees apart, said cam comprising a generally cylindrical body, an annular rib extending partially around the circumference of said body, the ends of said rib being spaced a distance substantially equal to thediameter of said rollers and providing a cam track extending across saidrib, one end of said rib being tapered to provide one wall of said cam track, the opposite end of said rib terminating in an enlarged offset portion with one wall thereof providing the opposite wall of said cam track and merging into one side wall of said rib and the opposite side wall of said rib merging into an arcuate roller engaging surface on said offset portion fa'cingjn the direction of rotation of said cam, the radiusof saidv arcuate surface being greater than the radius of. said rollers whereby upon rotation of said cam said arcuate surfracewill engage one of said rollers to rotate said shaft and turret, the acceleration thereof from zero to maximum being substantially instantaneous, continued rotation of said cam serving to disengage said arcuate surface from said roller as the following roller enters said cam track, said camtrack serving to complete the rotation of said, shaft, and turret through a ninety degree afrc anddecelerate the same at a relatively slow rate, the tapered end of said rib passing, between two adjacent rollers to engage the side walls of said rib with said last named rollers, the ninety degree rotation of said shaft and turret resulting from a seventy-two degree, rotation of saidcam i, i 1 4. An apparatus as defined in claim ,3 in which said turret is mountedon one end of a shaft and saidcam follower is mounted on the opposite end of said shaft ancl'inwhich said cam is mounted on. a.cam shaft..dis-

posed at right angles to the axis of said shaft andoffset.

therefrom, said follower comprising a-plurality of rollers spaced ninety degrees apart, said cam comprising a generallycylindrical body, an annular rib extending partially a oun'd the circumference of said body, the ends of said rib being spaced a distance substantially equal to thediameterof said rollers and providing a cam'track extending across said rib, one endof said rib being'tapered to provide one 'wall of said cam track, the opposite end of said rib terminating in an enlarged offset portion. with one'w all thereof providing the opposite wall of said. cam tr'aclc and merging into one sidewall of said rib and the opposite side wall of said rib merging into an arcuate roller engaging surface on said offset portion facing. in the direction of rotation of said cam, the, radius of saidarcuate surface being greater than the radius of said roil'er's whereby upon rotation of said cam said arcuate siirfacewill engage one of said rollers torotate saidshaft andfturr'et, the acceleration thereof from zero "to maxi mum being substantially instantaneous, continued rotation of said cam serving to'diseng'ag'e said arcii'atesurf e from said rolleras the "following roller enters"'saidcam 21 track, said cam track serving to complete the rotation of said shaft and turret through a ninety degree are and decelerate the same at a relatively slow rate, the tapered end of sid rib passing between two adjacent rollers to engage the side walls of said rib with said last named rollers to lock said turret against further movement.

15. An apparatus as defined in claim 3 in which said turret is mounted on one end of a shaft and said cam follower is mounted on the opposite end. of said shaft and in which said cam is mounted on a cam shaft disposed at right angles. to the axis of said shaft and offset therefrom, said follower comprising a plurality of rollers spaced ninety degrees apart, said cam comprising a generally cylindrical body, an annular rib extending partially around the circumference of said body, the ends of said rib being spaced a distance substantially equal to the diameter of said rollers and providing a cam track extending across said rib, one end of said rib being tapered to provide one wall of said cam track, the opposite end of said rib terminating in an enlarged offset portion with one wall thereof providing the opposite wall of said cam track and merging into one side wall tof said rib and the opposite side wall of said rib merging into an arcuate roller engaging surface on said offset portion facing in the direction of rotation of said cam wherebyupon rotation of said cam said arcuate surface will engage one of said rollers to rotate it said shaft and turret, the acceleration thereof from zero to maximum being substantially instantaneous, continued rotation of said cam serving to disengage said arcuate surface from said roller as the following roller enters said. cam track, said cam track serving to complete the rotation of said shaft and turret through a ninety degree are and decelerate the same at a relatively slow rate, the tapered end of said rib passing between two adjacent rollers to engage the side walls of said rib with said last named rollers to lock said turret against further movement. i i

1.6. An apparatus as defined in claim 3 in which said turret is mounted on one end of a shaft and said cam follower is mounted on the opposite end of said shaft andin which said cam is mounted on a cam shaft disposed at right anglesto the axis of said shaft and offset therefrom, said follower comprising a plurality of rollers spaced ninety degrees apart, said cam comprising a generally cylindrical body, an annular rib extending partially around the circumference of said body, the ends of said rib beingspaced a distance substantially equal to the diameter of said rollers and providing a cam track extendingi across said rib, one end of said rib providing one wall of said cam track, the opposite end of said rib terminating in an enlarged offset portion with one wall thereof providing the opposite wall of said cam track and merging into one side wall of said rib and the opposite side wall of said rib. merging into an arcuate roller engaging surface on said offset portion facing in the direction of rotation of said camwhereby upon rotationof saidcam said arcuate surface will engage one of said rollers to rotate said shaft and turret, the acceleration thereof from zero to maximum being substantially instantaneous, contined rotation of said cam serving to disengage said arcuate surface from said roller as the following roller enters said cam track, said cam track serving to complete the rotation of said shaft and turret through a ninety degree are and deceleratethe same at a relatively slow rate, said one end of said rib passing between two adjacent rollers to engage the side walls of said rib with said last named rollers to lock said turret against further movement lower comprising a plurality of rollers spaced ninety degrees apart, said cam comprising a generally cylindrical body, an annular rib extending partially around the circurnference ,ofsaid body, the ends of said rib being spaced a distance substantially equal to the diameter of said rollers and providing a cam track extending across said rib, one end of said rib providing one wall of said cam track, the opposite end of said rib terminating in an enlargedvoffset portion with one wall thereof providing the opposite wall of said cam track and merging into one side wall of said rib and the opposite side wall of said rib merging into an arcuate roller engaging surface on said offset portion facing in the direction of rotation of said cam whereby upon rotation of said cam said arcuate surface will engage one of said rollers to rotate said turret, the acceleration thereof from zero to maximum being substantially instantaneous, continued rotation of said cam serving to disengage said arcuate surface from said roller as the following roller enters said cam track, said cam track serving to complete the rotation of said turret through a ninety degree are and decelerate the same at a relatively slow rate, said one end of said rib passing between two adjacent rollers to engage the side walls of said rib with said last named rollers to lock said turret against further movement.

18. An apparatus as defined in claim. 3 in which said cam follower is secured to said turret and in which said cam is mounted on a cam shaft disposed at right angles to the axis of said turret and offset therefrom, said fol-i lower comprising a plurality of rollers spaced ninety degrees apart, said cam comprising a generally cylindrical body, an annular rib extending partially aroundthe circumference of said body, the ends of said rib being spaced a distance substantially equal to the diameter of said rollers and providing a cam track extending across said rib, one end of said rib providing one wall of said cam track, the opposite end of said rib terminating in an enlarged offset portion with one wall thereof providing the opposite wall of said cam track and merging into one side wall of said rib and the opposite side wall of said rib merging into a curved roller engaging surface on said offset portion facing in the direction of rotation of said cam whereby upon rotation of said cam said curved surface will engage one ofsaid rollers to rotate said turret, the acceleration thereof from zero to maximum being substantially instantaneous, continued rotation of said cam serving to disengage said curved surface from said roller as the following roller enters said carn' track, said cam track serving to complete the rotation of said turret through a ninety degree arc anddecelerate the same at a relatively slow rate, said one end of said rib passing between two adjacent rollers to engage the side walls of said rib with said last named rollers to lock said turret against further movement.

19. An apparatus as defined in claim 3 in which said cam follower is secured to said turret and in which said cam is mounted on a cam shaft disposed at right angles to the axis of said turret and offset therefrom, said follower comprising a plurality of rollersysaid cam comprising a generally cylindrical-body, an. annular rib extending partiallyaroundthe circumference of said'body, the ends of said rib being spaced at distance substantially equal .to the diameter of said rollers and providing a cam tracl: extending across said rib, one end of'said rib providing one wall ofsaid cam track, the opposite end of said rib terminating in an enlarged offset portion with one wall thereof providing the opposite wall of said cam track and merging into one side wall of said serving to complete the rotation of said turret and dc it celerate the same at a relatively slow rate, said one end 23 pt said ,rib.v passing between two adjacent rollers to engage the sidewalls of said rib with said last named rollers to lock said turret a'gainstjfurthermovement.

20. An apparatus asdefined in claim 2 in which said plunger comprises a tubular member reciproc'ably mounted in .aicylinder closed at one end, said tip comprising a flat bifurcated memberwith the legs thereof attached to the end of said tubular member in a manner to provide a substantially unobstructed opening into said tubular member,,, s aidflegs having outwardly offset portions forming shoulders forengaging said mouthpiece and extending along opposite sides, of said tubular member to provide said guide, ribs, said bifurcated member terminating at its outer end in a circularjhead for en'gaging'said prongs and avacuum connectionrin the closed end of said cylinder wherebypassage of filter material from the bore 'in said turret between said legs into, said tubular member and saidcylinder and out through said vacuum connection will be,in a substantially unobstructed straight line 21. An apparatus as defined in claim 2 in which said plunger comprises a tubular member reciprocably mounted .in a cylinder closed at one end, said tip comprising a flat bifurcated member with the legs thereof attached to the, endv of said tubular member in a manner to provide a substantially unobstructed'opening in said tubular member, said legs having outwardly offset portions forming shoulders for. engaging said mouthpiece, said bifurcated member terminating at its outer end in a circular head for engaging vsaid prongs and a vacuum connection in the closed end of said cylinder whereby passage of filter materialfr'om the bore in said turret between said legs into said tubular member and said cylinder and out through said vacuum connection will be in a'substantially unobstructed straight line.

(22. An apparatus as defined in claim 2 in which said plunger comprises a tubular member reciprocably mounted in a cylinder closed at one end, said tip comprising a bifurcated member with the legs thereof attached to the end of said tubular member in a manner to provide a substantially unobstructed opening into said tubular member, said legs having outwardly offset portions forming shoulders for engaging said mouthpiece, said bifurcated member terminating at its outer end in a circular head for engaging said'prongs and-a vacuum connection in the clo s edend of said cylindervwhereby passage of filter material from the bore, in said turret 'between'said legs into said tubular member and said cylinder and out throughsaid vacuum connection will be in a substantially unobstructed straight line.

23. An apparatus as defined in claim '2 in which said plungertcomp'rises a. tubular member reciprocably mounted in acylin'der closed atone end, said tip comprising bifurcated member with the legs thereof attached to thejenjd of said tubular'member in a manner to provide asubstantially unobstructed opening into said tubular member, said bifurcated member terminating at its outer endin a circular head for engaging said prongs and a vacuum connection in the closed end of said cylinder whereby passage of filter material from the bore in said turret between said legs into said tubular member and said cylinder and out through said vacuum connection will be inasubstantially unobstructed straight line.

An apparatus as defined in claim 2 in which said plunger comprises a tubular member reciprocably mounte in a cylinder cl'o'sedat one end, said tip comprising a bifurcated member with the legs thereof attached to the end of said tubular member in a manner to provide a substantially unobstructedopening into said tubular memb ,said bifurcated member terminating at its outer end in ahead for engaging said prongs and a vacuum connec' cl os edend of said cylinder wherebypassage o filter :material frornthe bore in said turret between said gs into said tubuleirinember andsaidcylinder and out through'said vacuum connection will be in a substantially' unobstructed straight 7 line.

25. An apparatus as defined in claim 2 in which said plunger comprises a tubular member reciprocably mount ed in a cylinder closed at one end, said tip comprising a bifurcated member with the legs thereof attached to the end of said tubular member in a manner to provide a substantiallyunobstructed opening into said tubular memher, the outer end of said bifurcated member "engaging said prongs and a vacuum connection in the closed end of said cylinder whereby passage of filter material from the bore in said turret between said legs into said tubular member and said cylinder and out through said vacuum connection will be in a substantially unobstructed straight line. 1

,26. An apparatus as defined in claim 8 in which said tr'ap chamber comprises a cover plate, a sealing gasket on the lower surface of said cover plate, an open-top receptacle, means for removably clamping the upper edge of said receptacle in air-tight engagement with said gasket, an inlet conduit extending through said plate into said receptacle, a bafile carried by said conduit and engaging the side wall of said receptacle intermediate the length thereof, apertures in said bafile, a relatively fine mesh screen covering said apertures, a vacuum connection in said plate communicating with said receptacle and an adjustable automatic relief valve in said plate, said inlet conduit being connected to said plunger whereby upon application of a vacuum to said receptacle filter material will be drawn through said conduit into said receptacle below said baffle and be retained therein by said screen, said relief valve serving to maintain a substantially constant vacuum in said receptacle.

27. An apparatus as defined in claim 8 in which said trap chamber comprises a cover plate, an open-top receptacle, means for removably clamping the upper edge of said receptacle in air-tight engagement with said plate, an inlet conduit extending through said plate into said receptacle, a battle carried by said conduit and engaging the side wall of said receptacle intermediate the length thereof, apertures in said bafile, a relatively fine mesh screen covering said apertures, a vacuum connection in said plate communicating wtih said receptacle and an adjustable automatic relief valve in said plate, said inlet conduit being connected to said plunger wherebyupon application of a vacuum to said receptacle filter material will be drawn through said conduit into said receptacle below said baffle and be retained therein by said screen, said relief valve serving to maintain a substantiallybohstant vacuum in said receptacle. t

28. An apparatus as defined in claim 8 in which said trap chamber comprises a cover plate, an open-top receptacle, means for removably clamping the upper edge of said receptacle in air-tight engagement with said plate, aninlet conduit extending through said plate into said receptacle, 2. baffle carried by said conduit intermediate the lengthof said receptacle, apertures in said 'baifieya relatively fine mesh screen covering said apertures, a vacuum connection in said plate communicating with said receptacle and an adjustable automatic relief 'valve in said plate, said inletlconduit being connected to said plunger whereby upon application of a vacuum to -said receptacle filter material'will be'draw'n through saidconduit into said receptacle below said baffle and'be retained therein by said screen, said relief valve serving to 'maintain a substantially constant vacuum in said receptacle.

29. An apparatus as defined in claim 8 in which said trap chamber comprises a cover plate, an open-top receptacle, means for reinovably clamping the upperedge of said receptacle in air-tight engagement with's'a'id plate, an inlet conduitextending through said plate "into said receptacle, 'a balfie carried by said conduit intermediate the length of said receptacle, apertures in said baflle, a vacuum connection insaid plate communicating with in said-plate, said inlet conduit being coniiectedtos aid plunger'whereby upon application of a vacuum t'o 'said- 25 receptacle filter material will be drawn through said conduit into said receptacle below said baffie, said relief valve serving to maintain a substantially constant vacuum in said receptacle.

30. An apparatus as defined in claim 8 in which said trap chamber comprises a cover plate, an open-top receptacle, means for removably clamping the upper edge of said receptacle in air-tight engagement with said plate, an inlet conduit extending through said plate into said receptacle, a baffle carried by said conduit intermediate the length of said receptacle, apertures in said bafile and a vacuum connection in said plate communicating with said receptacle, said inlet conduit being connected to said plunger whereby upon application of a vacuum to said receptacle filter material will be drawn through said conduit into said receptacle below said baffle.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,540,059 Stirn Jan. 30, 1951 2,597,720 Gamble May 20, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 531,948 Great Britain Jan. 14, 1941 688,854 Great Britain Mar. 18, 1953 

